Raven's Breath (The Women of Purgatory)

by Tish Thawer

  His soul returned to his body and the steamy light radiated through his pores from the inside out. He took a new breath and opened his eyes. He'd searched the room for me but found nothing, for he was no longer in the netherworld, but once again truly alive.

  I closed my journal but remained in the memory, trying to focus on anything that was similar about the two incidents. Nothing stood out, but then again, each time I'd been so overwhelmed and left with such a benevolent feeling I could hardly keep a linear thought in my head. I'd have to try harder next time––if there was a next time––to make sure I cataloged more details.

  A noise caught my attention from just beyond my bedroom window. I glanced up and spotted Holli hovering outside.

  "Another round of breakouts has occurred. It's time to go." Her formality caught me off guard. I dove out the window and we headed for the portal fields.

  "How have you been?" I asked, happy to see her again, even if it was under the guise of work.

  "I'm well, thank you. And yourself?"

  I glanced in her direction and found the muscles in her jaw were as tight as her words. "What's wrong, Holli?"

  "Nothing. Why do you ask?" The twitch of her head and the increased grinding of her teeth made it obvious she was lying.

  "Because, I can tell something is bothering you."

  She stole a glance in my direction; the frown she wore and the flare to her nose made her features look pouty with a hint of disgust.

  "Geez, what's with the look?"

  We landed in front of portal 221 and before I could press her for an answer, I received a quick smack to the face.

  My hand flew to my cheek. "Ouch. What the hell was that for?"

  "Do you think I don't know?!" she yelled.

  "Know what?"

  "You tried to steal Death away from me that day in the garden!"

  My mouth fell open. If anyone wanted to attack me right now, they would have succeeded. I was in shock, utterly stunned, and the ability to speak completely beyond my grasp.

  "That's why he hit you. He told me all about it. Once you saw my castle you were so jealous that you tried to steal him away by throwing yourself at him. He had to hit you to snap you out of it."

  Oh.My.GOD! What game was he playing? One minute he wanted us to be great pals, the next he was setting us up to throw down.

  "Holli, I'm not sure why Death told you that story, but that's exactly what it is...A. Story. I would never try to steal Death from you. If I wanted to be his girlfriend, I would have just said yes all those times he asked me before you were even here."

  That earned me another slap across the face. My intention was to make her understand that I'd never had an interest in Death, now or before her arrival. But apparently that's not how it came across.

  "He said you'd say that. But now that you see the things he gives me and how much he cares for me, you changed your mind."

  "This is ridiculous," I bellowed. "Call him here right now. Let's see what he has to say when confronted with us both."

  The fact that I was willing to argue my point in front of them both must have broken through the thick lie layering her brain. Her shoulders slumped and her lips began to quiver.

  "I'm not sure which bothers me more. The idea of my only friend hurting me, or my lover constantly lying to me." The dam released and tears raced down her cheeks.

  Oh man. I was not good at this girly shit. And even though I felt bad playing the 'you-can-count-on-me' card to find out what Death had been lying about, I couldn't really pass up the opportunity.

  I strode forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Holli. But please know, I would never do anything to hurt you on purpose." I added that last part, in case Death's secret somehow involved her, which meant she wouldn't remain unscathed once it was revealed. "Now, besides this whopper about me being a boyfriend stealer, what else has Death been lying to you about?"

  I wasn't sure if she'd answer a direct question, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

  "Recently, he's been leaving me alone a lot more and when I asked him why, he said it was to test a theory. I didn't know what he meant so I kept asking. He told me to drop it or he'd cut me off from my castle." Sobs shook her petite form. "He's never treated me like that before, and I know it has something to do with the phenoms he keeps pulling inside."

  My ears perked up. "I thought he did that just so you could practice flying?"

  "I thought so too, but now, he won't even let me practice or be in there at all when he does it." She buried her head in her hands.

  I continued to pat her on the shoulder, offering what condolences I could. I tried to imagine what theory Death could be testing and how it involved the phenoms.

  My mind was humming, then Holli straightened and wiped her tears. The resolved look on her face made me nervous.

  "If Death wants to keep experimenting with the phenoms that we gather, I wonder what he'd do if we simply refused?"

  Oh shit! Holli was turning out to be braver than I imagined, but disobeying Death was not an option unless you were ready to face his scythe. Maybe he hadn't explained those things to her because she was his girlfriend. However, I didn't think that fact made her immune from his anger if she decided to test his authority.

  "Holli, that's not a good idea. Death will deliver the final death to any Reaper who doesn't do as instructed. I've seen it done and personally, I'm not ready to die."

  She huffed a hard breath, turned to portal 221, and walked inside. I wasn't sure if I'd dissuaded her rebellion, but for her sake and mine, I certainly hoped so.

  21

  I followed Holli through the portal, emerging in Egypt, the pyramids standing clearly in the distance.

  "Wow. I've never been to Africa before," I stated, trying to engage her in a less stressful conversation.

  It didn't work.

  She remained silent and flew toward a cloud of buzzing phenoms. I shut my mouth and hung back, waiting for her to raise her sword like normal. My eyes bugged out when she flew directly into the center of the swirling mass instead.

  "Holli!" I shouted. What the hell is she doing?

  The cloud began to thin.

  Holli was wielding The Devourer as if it were an extension of her body. She cut and sliced through the phenoms, sucking them into her glowing weapon with each hack. Her intensity shocked me. I realized I was getting a front row demonstration of Death's "personal" Reaper. Her training meant to protect him was evident in each lethal blow.

  "Holli, calm down."

  "Why? Am I not allowed to get angry when someone lies to me?"

  "Of course you are, but taking it out on the phenoms isn't going to get you anywhere."

  Her eyes narrowed. I worried for a second she was going to turn her fury towards me, but luckily, she sighed and lowered her sword. I watched the last phenom get sucked into the weapon, its wispy tail slithering across the ground.

  "It doesn't hurt them, you know." She took a deep breath and a smile crept across her lips. "But it does make me feel better."

  We both laughed at her tantrum and finished the mission with our spirits lifted. By the time we exited the mausoleum back in the portal fields, our cheeks were sore and Holli's anger had dissipated.

  "Thanks for making me feel better, Raven. I guess if Death needs to keep something from me he probably has a very good reason."

  And, there it was...that unwavering innocence that always amazed me. "Holli, you're a very special person. I'm sorry if I was hard on you initially."

  "Why do you say that? You've always been kind to me," Holli responded.

  I scoffed internally. If she only knew the hateful things that had gone through my mind and flitted across my tongue. I shook my head, admitting to myself I actually liked this girl. "Let's just say, I'm glad I've had the chance to get to know you. You're a big help and I'm happy to call you my friend."

  Tears began to shine in her eyes. I still wasn't comfortable with the whole "BFF" thing, but I
was trying. She launched herself at me with her arms flung wide. I embraced her fully, laughing as we stumbled off-balance.

  "Well, well...isn't this cute." Krev's voice sliced through the air.

  I spun around, instinctively shielding Holli behind me. "What do you want, Krev?"

  He gestured over my shoulder at Holli. "I just came to meet this beauty."

  My eyes widened.

  What the hell?

  How could Krev see her when no one else could? Maybe Death had lifted his magical shroud and simply hadn't told us about it.

  Krev took a step towards us, halting my internal debate. I reached back and grabbed Holli's hand, preparing to propel us both into the sky but was halted when Duncan, another Reaper, stepped out from the mausoleum behind us and grabbed her other arm.

  I spun, ready to launch a kick to his midsection but stumbled when I realized my services weren't required.

  A chill layered the air and Holli had Duncan on the ground, her sword poised at his neck. She looked at me and shrugged, obviously surprised by the change in her situation as well.

  Krev threw up his hands in mock defeat. "Whoa, hold on there, beautiful. We only wanted to introduce ourselves and have the pleasure of meeting the newest female Reaper."

  I rolled my eyes, sickened by his typical rhetoric, but Holli remained silent; stoic and deadly. Neither of the guys had a clue what to do and I frickin' loved it. Innocent or not, Holli was a badass.

  "Well, sorry, Krev, but I don't think she has any interest in meeting you," I stated flatly.

  His nostrils flared and his upper lip curled, but before he could move or respond, Death appeared, coalescing out of thin air and black smoke.

  "Do we have a problem here, my dear?" he asked Holli, his voice smooth as silk, but deadly nonetheless.

  "No problem at all, my love," Holli responded as if nothing was amiss.

  The look of fear and utter confusion on the boys' faces sent me spiraling into a fit of laughter. Everyone looked in my direction.

  "What's so funny?" Krev demanded.

  "Actually, you guys are," I chided. "You should see the looks on your faces. Here's this little waif of a girl who just went all ninja on Duncan's ass, and you've got Death breathing down your neck for messing with his woman." I doubled over, laughing so hard I could barely breathe. "Finally...someone else is in trouble besides me."

  Krev and Duncan didn't find my explanation very funny, but Holli and Death both grinned. Death waved his hand in Holli's direction and she immediately withdrew her sword from Duncan's neck. He popped upright and shuffled away as fast as he could.

  Death turned to Krev.

  "If I wanted to introduce you to the newest addition to our family, I would have done so by now. So I would suggest, the next time your curiosity peaks...fight it."

  Krev gave Death a clipped nod and walked away.

  Death's gaze slid to me. "Thank you for watching over Holli."

  "Are you kidding me? She certainly doesn't need my help. She was ready to take those guys out." I smiled at Holli, noticing her reddened cheeks.

  "Regardless of her skills, I'm happy to know you actually have her back." He reached out his arm and enfolded her into his embrace.

  I so desperately wanted to spew all the questions running through my mind: How were Krev and Duncan able to see Holli? Why did he lie to Holli about me? What was this theory he was testing, and why couldn't he share it with his Reapers? But, with the mutual peace we all seemed to be experiencing, I quickly decided against it. I'd leave it up to Holli to root out the truth of it all if she still wanted to.

  I turned to take my leave, disappointed but resolved, when Death's firm grip settled on my arm. When I spun around, the serious look on his face caused my internal alarms to sound.

  "Raven, when was the last time you were sent to Heaven during a retrieval?" His voice was strained and taut.

  I pulled from his grasp and took a quick step back, contemplating the odd question. It wasn't unusual for me to visit Heaven, or Hell for that matter; it was part of my job.

  "Earlier today, why?"

  His jaw clenched, then he and Holli disappeared. Wow. Guess I won't be getting an answer.

  I shook my head and took to the sky, finally heading home for the night. As I neared my apartment, I saw Garrett rushing up to the main door of my building. I adjusted my trajectory and touched down gently behind him.

  "Hey! Fancy meeting you here."

  "Actually, it's not fancy at all.” His intensity shook me. “I need to talk to you."

  "What's wrong?"

  "Let's get inside." He ushered me into the building and up the stairs to my apartment with the urgency of an undercover spy on a mission.

  I flipped the lock. He unceremoniously pushed me inside, slammed the door, spun me around, and pressed my back against it.

  "What are you doing?" I demanded. “I need to check for something." He brushed the hair away from my neck and turned my head from side to side. This is awkward. "Garrett, seriously, what the hell is this about?"

  "Not Hell."

  "What?"

  "Hold still." The edge of panic in his voice had my heart racing. He continued to run his thumb over the smooth skin behind my ears and down each side of my neck. "Oh my God, he was right," Garrett breathed.

  I'd had enough. I shoved him off with enough force to push him away from me. "What are you talking about?"

  "You've been marked, Raven."

  I stared at Garrett like he was an idiot, but it was I who was completely clueless. "Marked? By what? What do you mean?"

  "I mean..." He grabbed my arm and pulled me to the mirror hanging next to the front door.

  "...Heaven has marked you.”

  22

  I gazed at my reflection and focused on the spot he was pointing to. I had to squint, but there, behind my right ear, was a small raised symbol. It looked like a sigil, or rune of some sort, made up of lines, dots and squiggles. Its meaning was completely lost on me.

  I spun to face Garrett. "What does this mean?" I demanded.

  "It means you're an emissary of Heaven."

  My mouth fell open. The look on his face and the hole through my heart became instant twins.

  This had to be a mistake. No way could a Reaper of Death be an emissary of Heaven. It simply wasn't possible. Was it?

  I turned back to the mirror for a second look. I stepped closer, keeping my eyes locked on the symbol. Tears welled in my eyes as it grew larger in the reflection. I backed away and turned to Garrett once more.

  "Explain this to me. Am I going to lose my job? Get kicked out of Purgatory?"

  Garrett grabbed my hand and led me to the couch. "Sit down, Raven. Just try to relax."

  Relax? How could he say that? "Please, just tell me what caused this and what's going to happen to me?"

  Garrett took a deep breath. He looked like a preacher about to give a sermon, or a history professor about to deliver a lecture.

  "I'm not sure, Raven, but there's only been one other Reaper in history who was marked by Heaven."

  "Who?"

  "Death, but he was also marked by Hell."

  My heart clenched.

  Beyond what I'd come to know from being his employee, I'd never given much thought to Death or his life.

  "Go on," I pleaded.

  Garrett sighed. "Death was the original Reaper, placed in the position by both Heaven and Hell, and granted the power to rule Purgatory. The two realms struck a covenant that outlined the rules and guidelines that molded his position and that of his Reapers. They marked him as a mutual emissary, since the job he'd hold would serve them both."

  I sat silent, his explanation making sense so far.

  "Think of the covenant as a binding magical job description. It's why the Reapers are bound by free will and dress the way they do, in their typical 'Reaper' cloaks. It's also how they are chosen and brought to Purgatory. All of this has happened automatically for...well, ever. Until you."

>   I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat.

  "You're an anomaly, Raven. You, and now Holli, are the only Reapers who've been created outside of the covenant." Garrett shook his head. "I wasn't sure how he'd done it or why, but once you got here and started performing like a regular Reaper and we became friends, I didn't think much else about it."

  "And what do you think about it now?" I asked, biting my lip.

  "I'm not sure. Your numbers have shown that you've been visiting Heaven a lot more often than Hell lately. Maybe that's why they've decided you work for them. At least that's what Death thinks."

  I frantically started running my hands over my entire body. "Maybe I received a mark from Hell too, which means I'm still the same as the rest of the Reapers."

  "Raven, no. Reapers are simply Death's employees, they don't have marks. Only Death, and now you it seems, work directly for Heaven."

  I exploded off the couch. "Why? I haven't done anything other than my normal job. I retrieve the souls and take them wherever my portal leads. I'm a good Reaper!" I cried out.

  Garrett stood and took me in his arms, my heavy tears falling onto his shoulder. I loved my job and couldn't imagine not being able to do it. He repeatedly ran his hand over my hair, trying to smooth away the anguish when suddenly, a white burst flared, creating a kaleidoscope of shimmering light behind my closed eyes.

  Opening them I found a large male angel standing in the middle of my living room. I pushed back from Garrett and spun him around.

  "Whoa. Who are you?" Garrett asked.

  The angel smiled. "Michael." I melted at the sound of his voice. His sultry eyes rendered me speechless when he turned in my direction, his gaze locking to mine. "As you've just discovered, Raven, you've been marked by Heaven as one of our own."

  Mmmm...maybe being marked by Heaven isn't so bad after all.

  I stood, silent, hoping he'd continue just so I could listen to him talk. Thankfully, Garrett interrupted with a barrage of questions that needed to be answered, pulling me back on task.